Handling medical specimens



May 20, 1958 Filed Dec. 22. 1954 P. BOETTGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I| L m MIi E. il

63a* W4 @5&5 4 'I ,c M h il' fllllil 95? "`3 H [I n ze w Z- If 97! AIM@4a 'f U I" MJ M gV W2 7 x 1kg! M /f *l /3' 2 j f, 4b

INVENTOR PA UL. @DE TTG-ER May 20, 1958 P. BOETTGER HANDLING MEDICALSPECIMENS 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

Filed Dec. 22, 1954 United States Patent O 2,835,246 Y HANDLING MEDICALSPECIMENS Paul Boettger, Glfenbach (Main), Germany Application December22, 1954, Serial No. 476,940

15 Claims. (Cl. 128--2) The present invention relates to the handling ofmedical specimens, and more particularly it relates to a containerassembly for medical specimens.

Medicalspecimens such as blood, urine, gastric juice, diphtheria swabs,or the like, are usually carried from the patient to the examininglaboratory by being first introduced into a test tube, which test tubeis then closed and placed in a suitable shipping container. Considerabledisadvantages are connected with this method of transporting medicalspecimens. The test tube might break, specially prepared plugs forclosing the test tube are required which plugs have to be washed afteruse so that special washing facilities have to be provided and that thepersons carrying out the washing of the tubes and plugsy are unavoidablyexposedto infection. Furthermore, special containers are needed foroverpacking the test tubes, the weight of the entirepackaging materialisv very considerable relative to the weight of the specimens itself,particularly since customarily the test tube is first packed into awooden or sheet metal ycontainer which container for mailing purposeshas to be packed into a suitable folding boX or the like.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a containerassembly for medical specimens which overcomes the above-mentioneddliculties.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple andinexpensive container assemblywhich can be handled without exposing theperson handling the same to the danger of infection.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a further reading of the description and the appendedclaims.

With the above and other objects in view the present invention mainlyconsists in a container assembly for medical specimens, comprising, incombination an inner container made of a plastic material and having aninside wall, means cooperating with the inner container for tightlyclosing the same and for introducing a medical specimen into the same,the means comprising a cover removably carried by the inner containerfor closing and tightly sealing the same, a projection carried by thecover and extending from the latter into the interior of the innercontainer, at least one sealing member carried by the projection of theinner container and spaced from the cover, the sealing member abuttingagainst the entire length of an annular inner surface portion formingpart of the inside Wall of the inner container so as to tightly close aninterior portion of the inner container located at the side of thesealing member opposite from the cover, the projection extending beyondthe sealing member into the tightly `closed interior portion of theinner container and terminating in the tightly closed interior portionin a free end portion which is adapted to receive a medical specimen, sothat the cover together with a medical specimen on the free end portionof the projection may be mounted on the inner container to locate themedical specimen rice in the tightly closed interior portion of theinner container, an outer container removably receiving the innercontainer, and yclosing means removably carried by the outer containerand engaging the cover for closing the outer container and for urgingthe cover of the inner container to a position closing the innercontainer.

The medical specimen is introduced into the inner container which ispreferably transparent and made of polyvinyl chloride or polystyrene oranother suitable synthetic material. lThereafter the inner container isclosed tightly and placed into a second or outer container alsopreferably made of transparent polyvinyl chloride or other suitablesynthetic plastic material, and the outer container with the innercontainer therein is closed in such a manner that the closing of theouter container insures tight closure of the inner container. Thecontainers are used only once. They are preferably injection-molded fromsuch synthetic plastic material as polyvinyl chloride or polystyrene.Due to the nature of this manufacturing process, the containers areproduced in sterile condition. The sterile injectionmoldings are thentaken from the molds under sterile conditions and are immediatelyassembled to form the above-described double containers. The doublecontainer is then opened only immediately prior to introduction of thespecimen into the same and is Closed immediately after the specimen hasbeen introduced.

Since the material of which the inner and outer containers are made istransparent, it is possible to observe and recognize the contents of thecontainer by visual inspection. Containers made of such material aspolyvinyl chloride or polystyrene possess the additional advantage thatthe material fuses at relatively low temperatures such as between 70 and80 C., and that it is not imilamrnable, while it can be burned in anopen flame. Consequently, it is possible to safely destroy thecontainers after the required amount of the specimen has been removedtherefrom, by burning the containers without rst cleaning the same. Onthe other hand, in large laboratories where a great: number ofcontainers are used, it is also possible to melt the containers after amore or less superficial cleaning. During the fusing or melting of thecontainers which need not be sterilized beforehand, the remainder of themedical specimen is completely destroyed and the thusobtained fused masscan be returned to the manufacturer for the production of otherinjection-molded articles.

Another feature of the invention resides in that the extension consistsof a swabbing instrument having an enlarged head, which may be rough,grooved, apertured, provided with fibers, formed like a brush, or in asimilar manner, to enable swabs to be taken without applying j waddingaround the stem.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in `particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. l shows the double container according to the invention as anexcrement tube and diphtheria tube.

Fig. 2 shows the application for other specimens.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view showing Y anotherembodiment.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing another Fig. 8 is a top planview of the inner container, and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the outer container.

According to Fig. l the empty device comprises a cylindrical innercontainer 1, which has arranged on its inner `wall 2 an annular seat 3for a sealing disk or sealing member 4. That sealing disk 4 is suitablycon* nected to the container cover 5 by a stem 6. The underside of thesealing disk 4 is provided with a spoonlike extension or free endportion 4a.

The inner container cover 5 has arranged on its outside a resilientprojection 7, which is compressed by the cover 8 of the outer container9. Elements "i and S form a means for closing the outer container andurging the cover of the inner container to its closed position. 1tdesignates the annular gap between the inner container 1 and the outercontainer i A cover letter may be accommodated in said gap.

Thus, the inner container consisting preferably of polyvinyl chloride orpolystyrene and serving to receive the specimen, can he closed tightlyby the cover which has a projection into the interior of the containersuch as a stem, pin, sleeve, plug or the like, which carries a sealingdisk tightly adjoining the inside wall of the inner container and whichalso carries an extension directed towards the bottom of the innercontainer for receiving the specimen. The inner container is resilientlyinserted into the larger outer or second container which outer containercan also be closed. According to the illustrated embodiment, an annularseat for a sealing `disk is arranged on the inside wall of thepreferably cylindrical inner container, and a sealing disk ofcorresponding configuration is connected with the container cover. Afurther extension of the container extends from the sealing disk towardsthe lower portion of the inner container and may, for instance, beformed in the shape of a spoon. 1n this manner, a so-called excrementtube is formed which is provide-d with a double closure so that thespecimen will be arranged in the lower part of the container. Since thesealing disk is formed on its underside like a spoon and is suitablyconnected by a stem to the cover of the inner container, the cover withstem and spoon may easily be used for taking the excrement specimen andintroducing it into the inner container. Thus, the inner container issealed twice, once by the sealing disk and simultaneously also by theclosing of the cover. Resilient projection `7 on the upper side of acover of the inner container consists suitably also of polyvinylchloride or a similar synthetic plastic material. ient projection '7,the inner container is resiliently held in the outer container after theouter container has been closed, and it is not necessary to introducespecial resilient packing material of different composition than thematerial of which inner and outer containers are made.

For diphtheria swabs the excrement tubes shown in Fig. l are used. Inthe manufacture of said tubes, wadding from sterile packages is twistedunder sterile conditions around the spoon tip during the manufacture ofthe tubes.

The embodiment according'to Fig. 2 corresponds to Fig. 1 in respect ofcontainers 1 and and the container cover 8 for the outer container,Whereas the container cover for the inner container 1 has no stem withsealing disk and spoon.

According to Figs. 3-5 the embodiment of the invention comprises againan inner container 1, whose inside wall 2, which is smooth all over, isengaged by the sealing rim 3a of the sealing member 4. That sealing diskis connected to the container cover 5 by a projection 6a stuck into acorresponding sleeve or the like opening of the container cover 5.

As contrasted with Figs. 1 and 2, the container cover 5 also enters theinner container 1.

Instead of the spoon shown in Fig. l, a stern 4a is By means of resil-4. provided on the underside of the sealing member 4 and is stuck in acorresponding bore of the sealing member 4. The adherence between theplug 6a of the sealing member 4 and the socket opening of the cover 5exceeds the maximum adherence possible between the sealing rim 3a andthe inside wall 2 of the inner container 1.

The stem 4o carries at its free end portion an enlarged head 4b, whichin the case illustrated is grooved for the direct taking of swabs. Wherethe device is used for specimens other than excrements or diphtheriaswabs, the stem 4a can be pulled out ot the sealing member 4 and can beomitted.

Since the stem 4a is generally too short for taking swabs in the throat,the container is constructed according to the invention to form at thesame time a handle prolonging the stem. To this end the bottom 11 of theouter container 9 may be provided according to Fig, 6 with a `dovetailgroove whereas the cover 5 is provided with a dovetail. When the cover5' is stuck into the bottom 11 of the outer container 9, the container 9will provide a handle prolonging the stem da.

Another embodiment is shown in Fig. 7. Here the cover 5 has an outer rim15a, with which it is inserted in the inner container inversely to itsposition in the other embodiments. lf the bottom 12 of container 1 isprovided with a dovetail groove, similar to that of cover 5 in Fig. 6, asecond prolongation of the instrument is provided by connecting thebottom 12 of the inner container 1 to the bottom 11 of the outercontainer 9.

The cover S is suitably formed with recesses 16 in its outer rim tofacilitate gripping it when opening and closing the device. According toFig. 9 the outer container 9 is formed with stiiening ribs 13, whichprevent also the rolling ot the container when laid down.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments of the empty deviceshown but can be adapted in its details to a considerable extent to therequirements of specific cases, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

For the shipment of samples which do not require sealing of the lowerportion of the inner container by means of a sealing disk or the like,the inner container may be closed by a simple cover. in that case, theannular seat on the inside of the inner container is not used or is notprovided, since a single closure of the inner container will besufficient.

It is also possible to introduce a rolled-up letter or the like into theannular gap between the inner and outer containers which, for instance,may show on its outside the name and address of the laboratory to whichthe specimen is to be shipped.

lf desired, the outer container can also be reinforced by stifteningribs onvits outside and/or the outer wall of the outer container may beout of round in order to prevent the outer container from rolling on ailat surface.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to have the sealingdisk contact with its sealing rim directly the inside wall of the innercontainer which inside wall may be smooth throughout its entire length.Thereby, the manufacture of the container assembly is furthersimplified.

Preferably, the inner container may be stepped above the sealing disk ormay have an inside wall which is slightly tapered towards the bottom ofthe inner container. In both cases the inner container will be of simplegeometrical form, easily to be injection-molded from suitable plastics.The cover of the inner container, the sealing disk and the spoon canform plug-in parts and the adherence between the plugged stern of thesealing disk and the socket opening of the cover will exceed the highestadherence which is possible between the sealing rim of the disk and theinside wall of the inner container. Thereby, it will be prevented thatthe sealing disk over the stem will remain in the inner container whenthe cover thereof is removed.

Instead of polyvinylchloride or polystyrene, the containers may be madeof other thermoplastics meeting the requirements of the processaccording to the invention; these plastics may be formed by variousinjection molding methods. Such plastics comprise, e. g., substancesbased on polyamides, polyesters, polyethylene, and other polymers andpolycondensates, cellulose derivatives, etc.

Where the outer and inner container is made of polyvinylchloride orpolystyrene, the aforementioned advantages are obtained Vand theusefulness of the container is further increased by the possibility ofopening the container by a hot needle or the like and taking the contentwithout opening the actual closure. Thus the danger of infection issubstantially reduced.

It is also suitable, e. g. with blood specimens, to pierce two holes inthe inner container 1 with a hot needle or the like for removing theblood serum by decanting. The blood cake can be taken later by open ingthe cover.

lt will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also nd a useful application in other types ofcontainer assemblies dilering from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in acontainer assembly for medical specimens, it is not intended to belimited to the details shown, since various modiiications and structuralchanges may be made without departing in any way from the spirit ofthepresent invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such `adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be `secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A container assembly for medical specimens, comprising, incombination, an inner container made of -a plastic material and havingan inside wall; means cooperating with said inner container for tightlyclosing the same and for introducing a medical specimen into the same,said means comprising a cover removably carried by said inner containerfor closing and tightly sealing the same, a projection carried by saidcover and extending from the latter into the interior of said innercontainer, at least one sealing member carried by said projection insaid inner container and spaced from said cover, said sealing memberabutting against the entire length of an annular inner surface portionforming part of said inside wall of said inner container so as totightly close an interior portion of said inner container located at theside of said sealing member opposite from said cover, said projectionextending beyond said sealing member into the tightly closed interiorportion of said inner container and terminating in said tightly closedinterior portion in a free end portion which is adapted to receive amedical specimen, so that said cover together with a medical specimen onsaid free end portion of said projection may be mounted on said innercontainer to locate said medical specimen in said tightly closedinterior portion of said inner container; an outer container removablyreceiving said inner container; and closure means removably carried bysaid outer container and engaging said cover for closing said outercontainer and for urging said cover of said inner container to aposition closing said inner container.

2. A container assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which at least theinner one of said containers consists of an elastic non-opaquethermoplastic material.

3. A container assembly as set forth in claim l, in which the insidewall of the inner container is smooth throughout its length and thesealing member is formed with a sealing rim directly engaging saidinside wall.

4. A container assembly as set forth in claim 1, in which the sealingmember is formed with a sealing rim directly engaging the inside wall ofthe inner container and the inner container is inwardly and downwardlystepped above the sealing disk.

5. A container assembly as set forth in claim 1, in which the insidewall of the inner container is inwardly and downwardly tapered andsmooth throughout its length and the sealing member is formed with asealing rim directly engaging said inside wall.

6. A container assembly as set forth in claim 1, in which the outercontainer is formed with reinforcing ribs on its outside.

7. A container assembly as set forth in claim 1, in which said cover,sealing member and free end portion are plug-connected.

8. A container assembly as set forth in claim l, in which said cover,sealing member and free end portion are plug-connected and the sealingmember is formed with a sealing rim directly engaging the inside wall ofthe inner container, the adherence between the sealing member and thecover exceeding the greatest possible adherence between said sealing rimand the inside Wall of the inner container.

9. A container assembly as set forth in claim 1, in which said free endportion is formed as a spoon.

10. A container assembly as set forth in claim 1, in which said free endportion consists of a swabbing instrument having an enlarged head.

l1. A container assembly as set forth in claim l, in which said free endportion consists of a swabbing instrument having an enlarged head formedwith grooves for receiving the swab.

12. A container assembly as set forth in claim l, in which the outercontainer has a bottom and the underside of said bottom and the upperside of said cover of said inner container have complementary dovetailformations for interconnecting said bottom and cover.

13. A container assembly as set forth in claim 1, in which said cover isformed with a normally upwardly extending peripheral rim adapted to beitted in the inside wall of the inner container after inversion of thecover.

14. A container assembly as set forth in claim 3, in which said innerand outer containers have bottoms provided on their outside withmutually complementary dovetail formations for interconnecting saidbottoms.

15. A container assembly as setjforth in claim 1, in which said plasticmaterial at least of the inner container consists of polyvinylchloride.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 2,000,419Sarber May 7, 1935 2,072,630 Ferry Mar. 2, 1937 2,175,735 Banks Oct. 10,1939 2,452,385 Merckel Oct. 26, 1948 2,689,566 Lockhart Sept. 21, 1954

